R U Serious?
It's has a few moments of reckless chaos but best cumon'. 1977 has some killer ones and 9/25/76 is divine.

https://archive.org/details/gd76-09-25.sbd.aj.246.sbefail.shnf/gd76-09-25d1fixedt01.shn

What a show - what a day
the circus didn't have too many drunk monkeys yet - as in post TOG. It's 2 bad everyone didn't get a chance to get on the bus when it was such a fine ride. Nothing against those who didn't get that chance - it just got to be a drag having folks who really just wanted to have a fine old time mess it up for all involved.
Anyway -
It was long into a year of lots of shows and Lake Placid is so far in the country that it seemed only people who REALLY loved the music even more than the circus (yes the circus was wonderful too) went through the effort to get there.
Adirondack Mountains in Fall. WOW
Beautiful little village.
Freindly locals who were genuinely welcoming of us to their beautiful little village. Nice.
I think everyone who wanted to got into the show.
I got a ticket in the lot.
ended up 11th row center
all of us dancing ON the seats
AND WHAT A SHOW!
A GEM
give a listen
It's the next best thIng to being there
5 stars even if JUST for the show

really one of the greatest musical performances ive ever listened to. then your realize this is the first song of an amazing show. October dead is the best.

The balcony was supported by posts allowing the band a full 180 degree view of the corridor dancers dark animated forms silhouetted against the bright concession lighting. Just a little town nestled amongst the mountains...always will be the show closest to my heart.

'83 was an inferior year to 80-81 musically. Hated the transition to digital too.
6/18 and 6/20 were good.

One of the best Sugaree's Ever...

The Wheel though...! The Olympic Arena has a promenade between the lower and upper sections that is a continuous and unbroken circle. All the heads linked arms, one circle going one way, the other going the other. It was unreal, surreal and just plain awesome fun!

I admit it, like Loofler, I'm partial to the '82 to '85 shows. Yeah....'71, '74, '77 all great stuff but something keeps me coming back to the early eighties Dead and this show has IT....."Ragged Glory", I Love it. Sugaree IS a bomb leading into a Rooster that begs you to break out your air guitar and the Deal is guaranteed to drag you out of your seat. While the first set is the prize of this show, the second set has some goodies too. Lay me Down, Terrapin and Samson are nothing to sneeze at.

I've got to take a minute here to address the more negative reviews here. Without fail, when you find a smoking show like this one with folks raving about one tune or another, there always has to be at least one to come out with pithy remarks like; "Jerry is all over the place and is trying so hard to find his notes".............gimmie a freaking break! 1) The band has Just started playing 2) At 41 let's see how well you can rip out notes like he does and 3) It's Called Jamming. Not everything works Exactly like it could All the time. If you want perfection All the time, maybe you should listen to bands that play the same songs, the same way, Every Freaking Night of a tour. I'm sorry but Heads like that just piss me off. End of Rant.

Now quit reading and download this gem of a show before it becomes another one of Dick's Picks and ya gotta buy the damn thing.

from what ive heard of this show its sick...bomb sugaree, bomb deal, little red rooster is awesome, just absolutely awesome....have to agree with a lot of people first set is definately more enegetic than the second....idk if im the only one who gets this but my hair always seems to stand on end for those awesomely energetic songs and....never had it stand up for 16 minutes straight before and the deal is no exception had to stand up and jam for the whole thing.....just awesome overall

A typical fall '83 show. I like this tour. Sure, there are ups and downs, the vocals especially, but the energy, vibe, spirit and playing are excellent. Although Garcia was in trouble with his habit, credit the man for putting his best foot forward every time he hit the stage.
Those who recommend endless listening to '73 or '77, what can I say? I love that stuff too, but often find some of this ragged glory from the early to mid 80s way more inventive and exciting.

I remember the locals as being intrigued by the colorful dead heads coming into their town and being greeted by many smiling faces.
This show was a dream and it still feels like a dream to heard this soundboard.
I believe it to be the only "Lay Me Down of 1983
yum yum this show is better then food

I will never forget hearing Terrapin at this show. This made the show for me. Have a listen to Terrapin Station. Compare it to other versions . I thought this one was a little different, and the difference has meant everything since that time.
At about 4 minutes and 20 seconds into the song, Jerry's lead takes a different turn and has a most haunting yet beautiful quality to it. I had never heard Jerry play Terrapin quite like that.
Bill and Mickey on the drums added an esoteric, light, flowng touch behind Jerry during this time.
I consider this one of the greatest 30 seconds of the band playing together. Definitely worth the download.

full sound on all ends...high energy where there needs to be, and chockful'o'soul on the ballads.

jamall is right on about the rooster...not a favorite of mine, but bob sends this one skyward.

despite the naysayer...birdsong soars too.

the first set is a must have for any dead lover...crackling with energy.

Some folks were raving up this Sugaree.

I checked it out. This is an okay audience tape but the Sugaree blows. Jerry is all over the place and is trying so hard to find his notes he reminds me of George Bush at his last press conference. Sad.

Go listen to the Sugaree at the 5-28-77 Hartford show to hear the song done right. I'm not sure it's even been done better than that. There's a version at the Greek from '82 that is probably the best in the Brent era. It sure the hell isn't this refried cheeseball here.

The best taste of the quality of the recording may be the To Lay Me Down in the 2nd set. It's a nice latter-era version of the tune but the second half of the solo is muffed (not sure who to blame for that).

I'm not aware of a single Bird Song post-73 that matters for a hill of beans. This one is mundane.

The Deal is nice but, like the Sugaree, is an exercise in excess that gets fairly tedious. Is this another case of East Coast fanboys jacking up the quality of a performance that one really needed to attend in order to enjoy?

Craven,
Reading the .txt file yields this info:

Filler: 4/17/84 Convention Center, Niagra Falls NY
05 Space >
06 Black Peter >
07 Throwing Stones >
08 Not Fade Away
09 E: Touch Of Grey

I've had this show for a few years and it's a keeper. Just another in the list of fine Fall '83 shows.

This concert ended with Revolution
The space>bp. etc.....???? thanx

thanx to all those responsible!!

how 'bout the Deal?

I coined that phrase after hearing this Sugaree for the first time. I can still remember that experience...if you haven't had it yet, get VERRRRY ready and then crank it.
Hooooooooo boy.
Jer is as good as he gets...the Tiger shines with tones of silver and gold and then some...and Bob is playing some of his most supportive rhythm ever. The whole band clearly knows this is historic, and joins in laying down what could be the definitive
Sugaree. Still a treat to hear, year in and year out.
How do you follow that?
Great first set, second not bad.
I can't even imagine being there and seeing that opener. Must have melted a lot of minds.
I don't give many 5 star ratings, so that they mean something when I do. This one is for the Sugaree.
Maraschino Jerry.
Who else could ever play it like this?
We miss you, bro.
Thanks for leaving such a fine trail behind you...

YIKES!!!! - best I've heard!! Now I'm going to check on the Touch - but talk about a soulful SMOOTHLY played Sugaree and then before the final verse Jer starts getting frisky trying to drag the boys with him- he finally does and Jerome you nailed it beautifully .....can't wait to hear the Touch and Terrapin.....

Yeah, I was there and I experienced things I thought not possible without the help of any "psychedelia.." ... but there I was at a Dead show totally straight and "something" went down for the band, the audience and me.. I mean, Jerry plays his whole "White Album" without "Loser" -- that is a sneak peak into what was happening that night in upstate NY. To drop "To Lay Me Down" on our heads as the third song of the second set was "Inspiration moving him brightly..." The friggin' crowd locked hand-in-hand goin' round the concourse during the "Wheel" -- yeah, "something" from Beyond went down in Lake Placid on that chilly Autumn evening -- a "Revolution" of sorts. And somehow I was straight to witness that this show sparkled with the golden glow of the gods...Just listen to the end of "To Lay Me Down" and you too will hear it. (..and a huge THANK YOU to whomever took the time to tape this show and all others involved in getting it to this site.)

Really nice show. And sir I have to agree that To Lay Me Down does evoke good memories; in my case of my son's mother.

The sound is crisp-Touch of Grey-is an example of that.

I don't know if I can dub this one the BEST show I've ever heard, but it ranks right up there. Oh, and Micro Dot...I'd love to know who you are, as you hit my feelings about this show right on the head. I grew up in upstate new york (about 2 hours south of Lake plACID) and know EXACTLY what you're talking about...

Anywho....well worth the download, and yes, I'll agree...this IS THE BEST sugaree out there! :)

Three little 'ol words describe this Sugaree :
------>Oh ..My ..GOD !
(could describe it in one word too --->>SwEET !)

Lightening riffs proves there is a god , and thunderous booms out his commands on a Brother Essau that just rocks~well~in~the groove! A Jammin' Woman Smarter , a great AUD with clarity of vocals, all the bass you'll ever need , and drums that will pound on your heart....and the right mix/compliment of of some very happy campers swinging from the chandeliers there that night . Just a jamming show , an very nice close encounter of the "third eye kind" ;) ...this '83 period show will put a smile on your face .

What a great audience too ...band & audience locked completely and over~competently ---> in the groove . How sweet life can be ...and my favorite space & drums to !
~*~

I would like to say high to all those that i attended this show with, Amy Smith, Boogie, and the others ... it was my first, riding the back of a pickup truck to and from Plattsburg College, a freshman, going to the show, shrooms, the whole event - basically changed my perception of music and of life - so my review is biased for sure ... but not so ridiculous.

I guess it begins with not knowing the dead ... at the time ... and ends with being pressed against the front row stage security pit rail ... right in front of Jerry. I actually am one that did not jive too well with set #1. I got excited but was less 'connected' ... but when i met a college buddy, and he sneaked me to the floor for the second set, and we weasled to the front row ... magic happened for me. A pivotal moment in time when I transcended to a new appreciation of jam rock - it was a moment of complete glee and transformation.

I loved terrapin and good lovin in particular. Terrapin spoke to me ... and I can still see the rosey images of Jerry and Bobby singing the epic 'story like' lyrics, as if dripping and echoing in that olympic playground of ice, the visuals and context is mind shattering for me.

I have listened to this - my first show - many a time, on scratchy old tapes, and i still love hearing again today, at 40yrs old, 3 kids, wife, etc ... thinking back to how this event changed me forever, how the my apreciation of the rhythm, timber and feel of bird song, deal, esau, terrapin, good lovin, and all the others ... started in Lake Placid, in the northern reaches of NY, the ADKs, it has helped define who i am and how i perceive life and music.

So to all 'invovled' in the details of set #1 ... sugaree etc, good for you all, but i return occasionaly to place of memory that is in set #2, where life changed for me in that hour ... that slice of time ... that immense impact ... that moment when i first connected with the boys ... there are only a few times in life like that.

god bless, and keep jamming and searching for that sweet note ... that serenity riff, it is out there if you really look for it ... in life and music.

don palahnuk

These extra songs, which were not part of the show, are from 04-17-84 in Niagara Falls.

great show...sugaree,longest one ever !!! just do n enjoy. I loved the the show

I agree with Chicken Shack, this is The Sugaree.

They could have packed up and left after Sugaree and I might not have minded, it is that good. Rooster has a very fun spine-tinglingly high guitar solo that doesn't get old and Deal ends this set right where it started, just smokin'. Wow. Bird Song is very nice and deserves a nod. I can't so much comment on the second set as I never can get over the first one. Yeah, the second set is okay, but how could they have kept it up like that all night? (I know I shouldn't comment on other reviews either, but how could one who likes the Dead ever diss this Sugaree?) Sorry. Great sounding audience, recording, just perfect for the feel that translates onto a recording. Sound = 5 stars for mood and sound, performance = 5 stars first set, 3 second set for an average of 4, but Sugaree alone puts it in the 5 star category. DL set one, take or leave set 2.

I kind of thought B.P. was gonna be good. The echoey re-verb is a nice touch. Always enjoy To Lay Me Down, Jerry sounds good here. This was the place to be on this night.Like someone mentioned the Dead taking over a small town, Man fall of 83'and a cool venue, what a day and night that must of been.

doses..doses..ahh I could just picture the circus now. Its like instant fun, arrive with friends mix all ingredients and wala.

Best Sugaree I've ever heard. Show opener. Right out of the gates with guns-a-blazin. Garcia fires off notes with lightning speed. It makes your head spin.

I grew up in Lake Placid (pop. about 5000) and on
10/17/83 The Dead completely took over the town!
My first Grateful Dead show,also happened to be my
first acid trip.
A fabulous evening.
I remember the ring of dancing freaks around the
entire balcony level of the venue...very cool...
I've never been to another show that was anywhere near that vibe.

I was in the front row during the first set...what a great show.

this is an ok show, overall.

[what's with the weird bonus space>black peter etc... at the end? gotta be from another night or something, yes?]

anyway, this show is eclipsed by hartford 10.15, as mentioned below, and the second set just doesn't rate 5 stars.

despite an interesting opening of touch/samson/to lay me down, all of which are good, (esp samson) the women R is flat, terrapin is a little confused...

the space wheel is pretty, and the miracle is above average, but on the whole, this show just doesn't measure up to the standards of this fall run, IMHO. not as tight and energetic as many others...

btw, the bonus space>peter is really hot. anyone know where it's from?

peace

Did anybody but me notice the smile on Jerry's face during the first few notes of Sugaree. I weasled my way to front row,as already noted, plenty of room to move. He had an "ear to ear" smile that told me and everyone who noticed what was in store for the night. I can recall countless smiles from Jerry. But this is my favorite. And I can vouche for that Wheel around the balcony thing. I looked up and saw it from the floor and I was blown away. What a fantastic night. Great audience recording. Thanks

First, for clarification purposes, Touch opened the 2nd set, and the post-space selection went:
Wheel>Miracle>GDTRFB>Good Lovin'. E: Revolution.

This show had the unfortunate honor of being on the heels of the first two "St.Stephen" shows from MSG and Hartford. Also, it came the year the band revived Help>Slipknot! It's a shame that this one gets overlooked. Certainly the first set is a must have for some stellar versions AND the "audience factor".

(For another awesome audience/energy show from '83, check out the "mud slide" show from Merriweather 6/20/83.)

The 2nd set is average. But if you're like me and can feel the energy of a 1st set, download it.

I know the purpose of the reviews is to comment on the show only, but I was stunned to read a derogatory comment (in general) on Sugaree and Row James. I'll leave it at that.

The Rooster IS a cooker...picks up where Sugaree left off.
But if Birdsong could have been placed in the Second set...it should have been this night.
Long intro...possibly Jerry toying with the E-chord waiting for Bobby? No matter.
This is a definitive Birdsong. Are there better, sure. But you have to put this one in a top 5 category. Very spacey and exploratory.

Bucket is so much different than the versions that were played when the Dead went "Top 40" in '87. Very energetic and "raw".

Deal,as someone already noted, smoked. It is Jerry bursting with energy that is so positive, that I, too, wondered why the second set was lacking, in a relative way.

Who knows. Get the first set...feel the energy of the audience. Enjoy.


I give the first set 5 stars.

The first set could probably qualify as one of the best ever. Starts off with a white hot Sugaree (best ever?) that is only topped by DP 3 IMHO. Jerry just keeps turning it up higher and higher, and the boys are right there with him with some exceptionalo work by Bobby wrapping around Jerry's lead. Segues right into rooster without a thought. Bobby is especially strong. FOTD slows it down a notch but the song is beautiful and does have a nice jam.

Brother Esau is a nice version of this song, and Bird Song is pretty standard but with some fine playing. Followed by an unusual Hell in a Bucket, somewhat stripped and raw. Deal closes the set very strong and powerful with extended jam.

With such an awesome, energetic first set, I was very dissapointed in the second. What did they do during the intermission, 'cause there is no energy left. I labored through the entire set, draining all of the joy from the first. Only during Good Lovin does any energy come through at all. Don't get me wrong, much of the playing is alright, but almost feels like the show was recorded from two different nights, there is no consistency at all.

Revolution encore standard, but answer me this: Dear Prudence one of the all time great great great covers, why can't Jerry seem to nail any other Beatles tune?

Download the first set and get in Bronzed for eternity's sake, and listen to it everyday. Forget the second set and take a walk instead.

This is the first quality copy of 10/17/83 I've heard. Magnificent audience recording. The memories are rushing back like a flood! The vibe from the very beginning was positive. One could walk around the hockey arena hassle free. During Wheel, there was a circle of fans holding hands and going around the upper level until the entire level was connected. Lake Placid or as we called it at the time, ÃÂLake Acid,ÃÂ has always been one of the top 3 Dead shows I had the pleasure of attending. This show definitely is of the ÃÂItÃÂs not what they played, itÃÂs how they played itÃÂ genre. Thank you!

how come no one mentioned the 12 minute smokin Deal to end the first set??????????and I must say, one of the best audience recordings i've ever found.to whoever sent it here.much thanks.....

If you're like me, then you find Sugaree (and Row Jimmy) to be ultra monotous and boring, regardless of how well it's played. For me, Sugaree could never be the highlight of any show. Most times, the reverse was true. Guys with similar tastes to mine will take one look at a Sugaree, Rooster, FOTD opener and probably keep looking for something else.

STOP! Don't let those first 3 dogs scare you. This show IS worth it. Don't be swayed by previous reviews that claim the best songs of the night were the two mellowest songs. There's way more to this show and I'm here to rattle the consensus. Touch of Gray is a bummer to get as a 2nd set opener, but this one is great because it shows a song in transition both vocally and musically. The Samson totally rocks. To Lay Me Down is mellow but at least it's not uber-repetetive like Sugaree. It's selling point is it's rarity but there is some nice guitar work on it that can't be denied. Women Are Smarter rocks as usual, and the Terrapin is really strong, probably the highlight of the show up to this point.

This is one of my favorite post-Space song lineups. Although Wheel, Miracle, GDTRFB, and Good Lovin are all "post drums" songs, rarely were all 4 played in the same set. All 4 of these versions rock, but particularly strong is the Good Lovin. If you like the "push back the night" rap Bobby was doing in 83, then you'll LOVE this version of GL. I believe it to be the best "push back the night" Good Lovin I've ever heard.

I'd give this show 5 stars, but the 1st set setlist killed it for me (regardless of how well it was played). For those like me who never really got into the mellow songs.... the best two songs of the night were Terrapin and Good Lovin.

No doubt a five star performance. It doesn't get much better then this between '82 and '84; tamed but pure energy for the entire show. Not to mention the sound quality is incredible. You'll hear just enough of the crowd and plenty of the band, much better then a board recording could ever sound. The recording really brings out Jerry going the extra mile for us vocally on many of the tunes. And of course his playing is on point.

My vote also goes to this Sugaree as best ever. But don't just download that, get the whole thing.

For those who remember. This show is rocking from out of the gate. To Lay Me Down is my favorite. Many other tasty nodules to feed on as well. Just a top shelf copy.

Best Sugaree ever....the jams are boistrous and well formed. The band is firing on all cylinders most notable Jerry is who is on point as he was in Hartford two nights earlier. Its weird, 10/15/83 and 10/17/83 are more dicks picks worthy than the white bread show they chose on the 14th...83 was a strange year. Jerry got real bloated and clearly took some nights off but when he was on the band followed his lead. This Sugaree is a prime example...enjoy.

I've always been surprised that 1983 doesn't get more attention. There are so many highlights from the year that it ranks for me as one of their peak periods. And this show is definitely one of the best. Warning - It's got that tough, aggressive sound that puts off some. But if you want high energy from the drop then this is it. Jerry's voice has that great phlegmy/rough sound; his guitar is like ice and he's on fire; Bobby hits his guitar like a bell; and Brent is always right on. Don't know if it's the best Sugaree because I haven't heard them all, but it's one of the best I've heard. The set list is kinda funny too. I had this tape in the late 80s and always thought it was mixed up. Sugaree to open? Not right. Hell in a Bucket in the middle of the first set? Strange. Yeah, it's easy to get a 5 star rating, but this one deserves it. Turn it up.

Good stuff, best of Oct. 83. Jerry's clear and its a focused show. Love the To Lay Me Down.

while 10/11, 10/15, and 10/31 may get your immediate attention, this show deserves all the accolades of the other three...
possibly the BEST Sugaree ever, with some truly magnificent jamming from Jerry throughout...equally as awesome is Bird Song, another personal favorite version of mine...
the second set is as good as it looks, with highlights like To Lay Me Down>Women are Smarter, Terrapin, and the GDTRFB>Good Lovin' combo is totally smoking!!!!
sick, sick show